Major in Biomedical Sciences, Anatomy and Physiology Concentration

This program prepares students for a wide variety of opportunities which have a basis in cellular and molecular biology, human/animal anatomy and physiology. In addition to enrolling in required courses, students will have opportunities to engage in elective courses and laboratory research in specialty areas of endocrinology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, neurophysiology, reproductive physiology, and cardiopulmonary physiology. In this process, students are able to tailor their educational experiences to specific career objectives. The curriculum will prepare graduates to pursue further studies in professional schools for medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and optometry, as well as other programs such as nursing, physician assistant and physical therapy. The Anatomy and Physiology concentration will also prepare students for graduate studies in animal and human health sciences as well as for employment in a variety of innovative and developing fields in biotechnology.

The basic science curriculum meets many requirements for entrance into professional schools. Experiential learning opportunities are encouraged and could include participating in laboratory research, teaching/tutoring in selected courses, volunteer experiences and leadership positions within student club(s), study abroad, internships, and honors curriculum. These opportunities are encouraged with the student’s interests and career goals as the focus.

Learning Objectives

1. Obtain a solid background in anatomy and physiology and be able to integrate knowledge from the molecular to the systemic level.
2. Demonstrate strong writing and oral communication skills.
3. Develop scientific hypotheses and experiments to test them.
4. Work effectively in groups.
5. Demonstrate effective organization, leadership, and laboratory skills.
6. Think critically and logically.

Effective Spring 2024

Concentration Electives – Select a minimum of 19 total credits

• BMS 260 may count as a Concentration Elective. Freshmen must take BMS 260.
• BMS 330 may count as a Concentration Elective if either BMS 301 or BMS 305 were taken to satisfy the anatomy requirement in the Junior year.
• BMS 345, BMS 420, and BMS 460 may count as Concentration Electives if not taken to satisfy All-University Core Curriculum (AUCC) Category 4 in the major.
• BMS 384 may be taken for a maximum of 3 credits.
• A maximum total of 3 credits earned in BMS 487, BMS 495, and BMS 498 may count toward the Concentration Electives. Additional credits earned in these courses will count as free elective credits.
• Only one of the following courses may count as a Concentration Elective: BMS 496A, BMS 496B, BMS 496C, BMS 496D. Additional credits earned in these courses will count as free elective credits.
• CHEM 343 may count as a Concentration Elective for students who select organic chemistry Group B in the Sophomore year.
• A maximum total of 4 credits earned in ANEQ 320, ERHS 220, ERHS 332, ERHS 340, ERHS 430, FSHN 350, HES 403, MIP 315, MIP 351, OT 215, and PHIL 322 may count toward the Concentration Electives. Additional credits earned in these courses will count as free elective credits.
  
   

¹

 See Concentration Elective notes directly above the course list. 

²

Select enough free electives at student's discretion to complete degree program of 120 credits. Enough upper division (300- and 400-level) credits must be taken to bring total number of upper division credits to 42.

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
To Declare Major: competitive entry controls required and capped enrollment in place. Please contact Director of Student Success in the CVMBS Student Success Center for more information.

To Prepare for First Semester:   The curriculum for the anatomy and physiology concentration assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus.  Entering students who are not prepared to take calculus will need to fulfill pre‐calculus requirements in the first semester.  Those pre‐calculus requirements are listed as benchmark courses in Freshman Semester 1 below. LIFE 102 requires high school chemistry as a prerequisite; CHEM 111 requires Algebra II as a prerequisite (this prerequisite is met by having Algebra II by test credit, transfer credit, or placement out of MATH 117 and MATH 118 on Math Placement Exam.